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Frequently Asked Questions

A faculty member copies a just-published journal article and distributes copies to her class to read. Does this violate copyright?
Likely No. Fair use provisions allow for spontaneous use of copyrighted material. This only applies...
A faculty member has long used a printed coursepack for his course. This year, he would like to place these items on KATIE electronically. Since this is the first use in digital form, does he have to clear copyright on the items?
Yes. The use is not the first use of the item, nor is it spontaneous....
A faculty member publishes images of Mickey Mouse on their professional (but personally-maintained) website. Does this violate copyright?
Likely yes. Thanks to repeated extensions of copyright protection, Mickey Mouse is still owned by...
A faculty member wishes to digitize and share a photograph of a recent piece of artwork by a prominent local artist to his students. The photograph was not taken by the faculty member and does not display any notice of copyright. Does this violate copyright?
Likely yes. Both the photographer of the artwork, and the artist who created the artwork...
A faculty member distributes copies of an article that she wrote and published four years ago to her class. Does this violate copyright?
Likely no, unless copyright of the item has been assigned to another person or entity....
A faculty member wishes to make a DVD copy of a well-worn VHS tape owned by the college library because the original is showing its age. Does this violate copyright?
Likely no. Libraries are granted specific provisions in copyright law to make preservation copies of...
If a faculty member wishes to publicly show a film owned by the College library, does this violate copyright?
Most likely yes. Films used in public performance situations must have public performance rights purchased...
A faculty member launches a science fiction film series to support their area of study and invites the campus and community to participate. They decide to show the movie Star Wars from their personal collection. Does this violate copyright?
Most likely yes. Films and movies purchased by individuals are licensed for home viewing only...
A faculty member wishes to copy a DVD and make it available via download on his password-protected course website. Does this violate copyright?
Most likely yes. Making copyrighted media available for download and offline viewing is not permissible...
A faculty member inserts links to articles available through licensed library resources on her learning management system course page. Does this violate copyright?
No. This is a great way to provide access to licensed content for students without...
In order to save his students some money, a faculty member creates a coursepack and arranges for copies to be made at the local printer. He then sells the coursepacks to the students at cost. Does this violate copyright?
Most likely yes. Duplicating material in this fashion (unless entirely created by the instructor) requires...
A faculty member uploads personally-owned MP3 music files to a password-protected area on the college's learning management system for students to listen to at their convenience. Does this violate copyright?
Maybe. If the intellectual content contained in the MP3 file was created and owned by...

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